Carl W. Kenney II is an award winning columnist and novelist. He is committed to engaging readers into a meaningful discussion related to matters that impact faith and society. He grapples with pondering the impact faith has on public space while seeking to understand how public space both hinders and enhances the walk of faith.

Friday, November 1, 2013

FBI begins investigation into Brandon Colemans death

The U.S. Department of Justice has begun an investigation
in the shooting death of Brandon Coleman.The decision came after a complaint was sent regarding Boone County Prosecuting
Attorney Dan Knight’s ruling not to press charges.

The complaint argues charges were not pressed due to a
racial bias. Agents from the FBI will
consult with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division to decide on federal
charges.

Coleman was shot four times by Dustin Deacon on May 19.Deacon claims he was protecting Rolland
Deacon, his father, after witnessing Coleman point a gun at his head. Rolland
Deacon greeted Coleman carrying a machete.On Oct. 23, Knight said he wouldn’t file charges due to Missouri’s “castle
law”.

Brandon Coleman

Winona Coleman-Broadus, Coleman’s mother, contacted
the Department of Justice to seek consideration of federal violations.FBI agents aren’t seeking to determine if
Knight’s ruling is wrong, but if Coleman’s civil rights were violated.

The FBI’s investigation of Deacon is significant
beyond the black communities desire to seek justice for the death of
Coleman.The failure to press charges
against Deacon is another example of how “stand your ground” and “castle laws”
have radically altered law enforcement across the nation.In addition, it reflects how America’s
position that we are living in a post-race society negates race as a motivation
fo murder.

Missouri is a castle doctrine state with a “stand-your-ground”
law. The state enacted its castle law in 2007. The law removes the duty to
retreat for persons who are attacked within their home or vehicle. The law
justifies the use of deadly force when victims reasonably believe their lives
to be in danger, and provides them immunity from civil and criminal action.

The death of Coleman follows a chain of cases that
forced prosecutors to dismiss how race served as a factor.The confrontation between Coleman and the
Deacons resulted in the interracial relationship with Rolland Deacon’s white
daughter.“Stand your ground” and “castle
laws” are being used to justify the murders of those attacked based on racist
assumptions.

Knight’s decision not to pursue the case is another
example of how prosecutions are undermined by laws that make it difficult to
find white men guilty when black men are killed. The prejudices of the jury, and culture of a
community, factor in leaning the scale of justice against black men.

On trial is a community with serious problems related
to race relations.Also on trial is a
state enamored with guns and protecting the rights of people to kill those
deemed a threat to their property, family or ideology.Could it be that Deacon killed Coleman to
protect the racial purity of the family?Is it possible that Coleman showed up that day to make amends, and found
himself face to face with a clan prepared to put a end to the Negro playing
games with their white daughter and sister?

It’s all the type of speculation that could have been
exposed in court. Sadly, “stand your ground” and “castle laws” aren’t designed
to ponder that type of conjecture.There’s
no place within the new law for an assessment of motives, or how racism factors
into the decision to pull the trigger – not once, twice or three times, but
four. Deacon shot his 12- gauge shotgun
until he was sure that coon was good and dead.

Yes, more speculation.

What can we conclude?It’s a longshot that the investigation will rule that Coleman’s civil
rights were violated. The force of state law precludes the power of the
fedsStates have effectively taken us
back to the days that empowered the confederacy in a way that minimizes a
national agenda.Could we be in the
midst of another Civil War?

It’s frightening to live in a state that gives racists
the right to bear arms.It’s even more perplexing
when they’re given the right to kill.

Sorry, I forgot.We can’t talk about race as a motive.Apparently, Coleman crossed that line that made the Deacon’s feel
uneasy.

Four bullets later he’s another reminder of what
happens to black men who forget their proper place.

Birth of a Nation

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Carl W. Kenney II

Carl was named the best serious columnist of 2011 by the North Carolina Press Association for his work with the News & Observer's community paper The Durham News and in 2016 by the Missouri Press Association for his columns in the Columbia Missourian. He is a columnist with the News & Observer and Co-Executive Producer of "God of the Oppressed" an upcoming documentary film on black liberation theology. He is a former Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri - School of Journalism and Adjunct Instructor at Duke University, the Center for Documentary Studies. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He furthered his education at Duke University and attained a Master of Divinity. He was named a Fellow in Pastoral Leadership Development at the Princeton Theological Seminary on May 14, 2005. He is a freelance writer with his commentary appearing in The Washington Post, Religious News Services,The Independent Weekly and The Durham Herald-Sun. Carl is the author of two novels: “Preacha’ Man” and the sequel “Backslide”.
He has led congregations in Missouri and North Carolina